Methods and systems for heating and cooling seats and other user items utilizing thermally conductive sheet with one or more thermoelectric devices

Abstract

A cooling and heating system for seats and other user items utilizes a thermally conductive sheet with one or more thermoelectric devices. This thermally conductive sheet has high thermal conductivity and is flexible, and may comprise polyimide, graphite, PGS graphite, carbon fiber, or more advanced materials such as graphene or carbon nanotubes or other high thermal conductivity material such as copper or aluminum sheet or mesh. The thermally conductive flexible sheet with remote thermoelectric device provides good temperature uniformity across the seat, quick response time, and excellent performance in extreme ambient temperatures. The high thermal conductivity sheet can be placed in the seat area between the upholstery and seat cushion with thermoelectric devices thermally connected to the thermally conductive sheet away from the occupant seating area to provide comfortable and durable seating with thermal comfort control. Heat rejection may be accomplished using a heat sink (with or without a fan) or a heat pipe connected to a heat sink (with or without a fan) or other heat rejection mechanisms.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 240,411 filed on Oct. 12, 2015 entitled SEAT COOLING AND HEATING UTILIZING A THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE SHEET WITH THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE(S), which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present application generally relates to methods and systems for heating and cooling seats and other user items using thermally conductive sheets and thermoelectric devices.[0003]A number of problems exist with current techniques for heating and cooling car seats and other user items. For example, current car seat cooling technology, which can use a blower in combination with thermoelectric devices and duct work to deliver cool air through holes in the leather upholstery of the seat cushion, generally does not work well on hot days or in hot climates. The seat cooling systems generally have only a small cooling area, slow response, and poor cooling performance. Cooli...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device that includes a flexible sheet for heating and cooling a user. The device has thermoelectric modules or heat pumps that work with the flexible sheet to cool the user when needed. In addition, the device has a heat rejection system that can absorb or release heat as needed. The technical effect of this device is to provide effective temperature control for the user in a comfortable and efficient way.

Problems solved by technology

A number of problems exist with current techniques for heating and cooling car seats and other user items.

For example, current car seat cooling technology, which can use a blower in combination with thermoelectric devices and duct work to deliver cool air through holes in the leather upholstery of the seat cushion, generally does not work well on hot days or in hot climates.

The seat cooling systems generally have only a small cooling area, slow response, and poor cooling performance.

Cooling performance worsens when the occupant is seated since the holes in the upholstery are obstructed by the clothing of the occupant.

For seat manufacturers, the current seat cooling technology can be expensive, require undesirable perforations in leather, cloth, or other upholstery, and can be difficult and costly to install.

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